BREAKING: Defence Minister Removed, Replacement Nominated (DETAILS)

BREAKING: Defence Minister Removed, Replacement Nominated (DETAILS)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Sunday that he is replacing Kyiv’s defense minister, Oleksiy Reznikov, after a year and a half into Russia’s invasion.

Zelensky cited the need for “new approaches” in the defense ministry and nominated Rustem Umerov, a Crimean Tatar and the head of the State Property Fund, to replace Reznikov.

FILE PHOTO: In this photograph released by the Ukrainian Presidency on July 8, 2023, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky visits the Snake Island (Zmiinyi Island), Odesa region. – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has visited a Black Sea island whose defenders famously defied a Russian warship at the beginning of the invasion, as the conflict reaches its 500th day. (Photo by Handout / UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SERVICE / AFP)

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Reznikov, who had been appointed just three months before Russia’s invasion, has led negotiations to equip Ukraine’s forces with modern weaponry from allies.

His removal comes amid Ukraine’s counteroffensive and efforts to address corruption issues, as requested by the EU.

Zelensky stated, “Oleksiy Reznikov has been through more than 550 days of full-scale war. I believe that the ministry needs new approaches and other formats of interaction with both the military and society at large.” Reznikov, a lawyer with limited military experience, has been a prominent figure in Ukraine’s war effort.

During Russia’s invasion, Ukraine’s defense ministry faced corruption scandals, including allegations of signing food contracts at significantly higher prices for basic foodstuffs.